• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

4X4 problem


zebz21

New Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
43
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford ranger sup
Transmission
Manual
It has been cold here recently.. -20 degrees with the wind chill but this has happened twice now. when i put my four wheel drive into high, it seems to lock in, but then doesn't want to come out. The lights blink a few times but still nothing..now i can get it back into 2wd if i mess around backing up and going forward but then if i try to put it in 4 nothing happens. Now the only fix i found was to put it in a heated garage and it seemed to work alright after that. Could there be moisture somewhere or whats the problem?thanks
 


macewan

New Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
58
Location
Johnstown, PA US
Vehicle Year
1999
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Ford
Engine Size
3.0 and 4.0
Transmission
Manual
If the cold really is the problem, it is likely in the hubs. Mine was doing the same thing and it all lead to the hubs. I am going to take mine apart and clean them and make sure the o-rings/seals are clean and not brittle.
 

Ranger44

New Member
Ford Technician
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
23
Points
0
Location
Illinois
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
FORD
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Automatic
My guess is with the shift motor. That the grease is very old and when it gets cold...gets very hard. Not only making it hard for the contacts to move, but easy for them to get lost, yes, lost. When the shift motor moves, these brushes/contacts, move on a contact disc. Contatcing different points, letting the motor know if its in 4lo, 4hi, or 2hi. If it doesn't know where it is, it won't shift. It'll just blink at you, going into a fail safe mode. The best way to fix this is crack into it and clean the the disc and remove the old grease. And bend the brushes down just enough to make good contact. Put new dielectric grease in and it should do. BTW, mine was doing the same thing. 99% sure its the motor:

Clicky:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89&highlight=shift+motor
 

zebz21

New Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
43
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
ford ranger sup
Transmission
Manual
well lately my truck won't even move on the snow unless it's put into 4 dunno if thats right or not but today i was coming home from the doctor and put it into 4 on the snow and the truck seemed to do a continuous fish tale. i had to hold the steering wheel turned just to keep it straight. it eventually kicked in after a while
 

Ranger44

New Member
Ford Technician
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
23
Points
0
Location
Illinois
Vehicle Year
1995
Make / Model
FORD
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Automatic
Check both hubs, and clean the shift motor as described. The hubs should have plenty of clean grease on them, and check to see if the plastic parts are worn or broke. If they are dried out or broke they may not engage right.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top